The Mets were roping the ball in our nation's capital on Saturday afternoon, as 14 hits generated an 11-8 win over the Nationals. >> Box score

Seven things to know about Saturday's game...

1) After a three-run first inning, Noah Syndergaard came to the mound with a pretty nice cushion to work with. However, the Nationals would eventually string together four runs in his outing to tie the ball game. Overall, Syndergaard allowed seven hits (one homer to Victor Robles) while striking out seven and walking none over six innings.

2) Pete Alonso secured his first Major League hit -- a bloop single to center field -- on Opening Day. But, today, he hit the ball much harder. Alonso collected his first RBI on a double to deep center field in the top of the second. Then, in the top of the eighth, the rookie added another RBI double, this time to right center off the digital scoreboard. He finished his day 3-for-4 with two RBI, one walk, and one run scored.

3) Jeff McNeil also had a stellar outing at the dish. He went 4-for-5 with an RBI triple -- a deep shot to right center -- in the top of the first. And he added more insurance for the Mets in the top of the ninth with an RBI double to right.

4) With the game tied, the Mets strung together a four-run eighth inning thank to Alonso's second RBI double and J.D. Davis getting the lead back with a two-RBI single. A balk also brought in Amed Rosario from third. They would add three more runs in the ninth to really blow this one open.

5) Though Justin Wilson was shutdown in his Mets debut, Jeurys Familia made things interesting in the bottom of the eighth. He couldn't get the final out of the inning as a walk and fielding error by Davis loaded the bases. Seth Lugo came in to alleviate Familia, and the Nats brought Matt Adams to the plate to see if he could tie the game. Well, he came close with a deep fly ball to right field that Michael Conforto hauled in to end the inning.

6) Tough days for Robinson Cano and Brandon Nimmo at the plate. Cano went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts, while Nimmo is still looking for his first hit of the year after an 0-for-4 day with three strikeouts and a walk.

7) The Nats had a strong rally in their last licks, as Lugo couldn't end things. He hit Anthony Rendon with a pitch with bases loaded to allow the fifth run to come across. And then Ryan Zimmermann stroked a bases-clearing double to make it 11-8. Edwin Diaz would come in and throw one pitch to end the game for his second save of the season.

Highlights

Video: Pete Alonso doubles, continues hot hitting

Video: McNeil brings home Ramos with triple, Mets lead 3-0

Video: J.D. Davis drives in go-ahead runs

Video: With the bases load Seth Lugo escapes with one pitch

What's Next

The Mets will look for the sweep in their opening series against the Nationals on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. It will be Zack Wheeler getting the start against Patrick Corbin, who gets his first start as a National.

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